Geothermal Utilities Power Wave of US Affordable Housing with 40% Energy Savings.
Dandelion Energy and Vermont Gas (VGS) partnered to bring geothermal heating and cooling to Riggs Meadow, a 44-home affordable housing development in Hinesburg, Vermont, with the gas utility funding the ground loops.
Dandelion Energy and Vermont Gas (VGS) have partnered to install renewable geothermal heating and cooling at Riggs Meadow, an affordable housing development in Hinesburg, Vermont. According to the companies, the model is the first of its kind for a natural gas utility. In it, investment by the gas utility unlocks geothermal systems for residential customers.
Riggs Meadow will include 44 townhomes and apartments designed for low- and moderate-income renters and owners. Champlain Housing Trust and Evernorth worked with VGS to explore geothermal heating and cooling options before they partnered with Dandelion Energy.
Under the arrangement, VGS is paying the upfront cost of installing the geothermal ground loops. The companies say this lowers the barrier to using the technology for the developer and for future residents. Dandelion will serve as an end-to-end partner, handling system design and drilling.
Dan Yates, CEO of Dandelion Energy, said, "Utility-owned ground loops are a practical, immediate solution to decarbonize housing." Neale Lunderville, president and CEO of VGS, said Vermont is looking to build housing rapidly to meet demand, and that VGS wants to add geothermal to its product portfolio to "give more choices to home builders and customers."
The companies said drilling of the geothermal boreholes will begin early next year, with residents occupying the homes in late 2027. Dandelion's system draws on stable, year-round underground temperatures to provide efficient, all-electric heating and cooling from a renewable source.
Dandelion raised $40 million in Series C funding in 2024. Since then it has partnered with Lennar on geothermal installations at 14 communities in Colorado. It has also worked with Dream Finders Homes and Ward Communities on geothermal systems in 129 homes in Maryland.
Note: The headline's 40% energy savings figure and its description of a national wave of affordable housing do not appear on the page. The page covers one 44-home development in Vermont and gives no energy savings figures.
At a Glance
- Riggs Meadow in Hinesburg, Vermont, will have 44 townhomes and apartments for low- and moderate-income renters and owners.
- VGS is paying the upfront cost of installing the geothermal ground loops at the development.
- Borehole drilling is planned for early next year, and residents are expected to move in during late 2027.
- Dandelion raised $40 million in Series C funding in 2024 and is working on 129 homes in Maryland.
Sources
This brief was written by Brightside Report from the reporting linked above. Spot an error? Request a correction.